What do you think?
Rate this book
The Year of Shadows
Olivia wants a new life—and it might take ghosts to get it. A heartfelt, gently Gothic novel from Claire Legrand.
Olivia Stellatella is having a rough year.
Her mother’s left, her neglectful father—the maestro of a failing orchestra—has moved her and her grandmother into the city’s dark, broken-down concert hall to save money, and her only friend is Igor, an ornery stray cat.
Just when she thinks life couldn’t get any weirder, she meets four ghosts who haunt the hall. They need Olivia’s help—if the hall is torn down, they’ll be stuck as ghosts forever, never able to move on.
Olivia has to do the impossible for her shadowy new friends: Save the concert hall. But helping the dead has powerful consequences for the living…and soon it’s not just the concert hall that needs saving.
Olivia Stellatella is having a rough year.
Her mother’s left, her neglectful father—the maestro of a failing orchestra—has moved her and her grandmother into the city’s dark, broken-down concert hall to save money, and her only friend is Igor, an ornery stray cat.
Just when she thinks life couldn’t get any weirder, she meets four ghosts who haunt the hall. They need Olivia’s help—if the hall is torn down, they’ll be stuck as ghosts forever, never able to move on.
Olivia has to do the impossible for her shadowy new friends: Save the concert hall. But helping the dead has powerful consequences for the living…and soon it’s not just the concert hall that needs saving.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published August 27, 2013
38 people are currently reading
5951 people want to read
About the author
Claire Legrand
30 books5,061 followersClaire Legrand is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourteen novels, including the Empirium trilogy, the Middlemist trilogy, SAWKILL GIRLS, and SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS. She is one of the four authors behind THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, an anthology of dark middle grade fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
August 22, 2013
Middle Grade fiction and I don't usually get along, which is funny considering their covers are the cutest things EVER. I am one of those people easily swayed by pretty covers and I just can't help clicking that "To Read" button on Goodreads. What can I say? I have ZERO self-control. You should also know that I do not do Horror. Like, at all because I am a total scaredy cat who's afraid of her own shadow. I sleep with a teddy bear and everything. But anyway, for The Year of Shadows I knew I had to give it a try because a) Legrand is pretty awesome and I like her style b) Dat cover, yo. You will notice this is how I select most of the books I read, which is not always as fail-proof as I'd like it to be. Unfortunately, Awesome Author does not always equal Awesome Book. But in this case, it totally does. The Year of Shadows tackles issues that I was surprised to see in a Middle Grade novel... and it does it so well.
The novel follows Olivia Stellatella, a kid who's dealing with way more than anyone should have to deal with at her age. Her mother has left Olivia and her father, which causes a strained relationship between them. Her father's failing Orchestra has left them severely in debt, causing Olivia, her grandmother and the Maestro himself to move into the very old Emerson Concert Hall. It doesn't even have a shower. The horror. To make matters worse, Olivia has school troubles, and you can just imagine how all of these things combined can make for a very bitter kid. She's not very kind to the Maestro even though he is obviously dealing with his own demons, the two friends that she does start to make, she pushes away, and she is kind of a brat. As Mr. Potato Head would say, "That ain't no happy child."
But the thing about Olivia is that you can't help but feel for her situation. At times, she is a frustrating character because you want her to just open up already and give people a chance. But at the same time, I understand why she's a loner and why she despises Emerson Hall and blames it partially for her mother's departure. She's a depressed, lonely kid just trying to survive when she discovers the ghosts haunting Emerson Hall. Through a few uncanny friendships, you can see Olivia's' growth as she slowly allows herself to heal. Or rather, she allows the friendships of the ghosts and her two friends to heal her.
Speaking of Olivia's friends, Henry and Joan were fantastic. The one thing I sometimes miss when hanging out in YAland is the dynamic of friendships, because with YA, there is usually such a strong focus on romantic love. But I loved how Henry saw beyond Olivia's facade and was there for her even when she pushed him away. I loved Joan and how she was all about getting involved with causes. Then there was also Igor, the cat, who Olivia may or may not have talked to in her head, dreamy Richard Ashley (fetch me my fainting couch!) and Olivia's grandmother. These characters were adorable and I was so happy that Olivia had them.
My favorite setting would have to be The Happy Place, a coffee shop run by Mr. and Mrs. Barskey. (My Personal Happy Place generally involves my couch, ice cream and watching Pitch Perfect over and over while thinking of ways to then incorporate Pitch Perfect jokes into every conversation I have. A-ca-believe it! But I digress...) With its bright vibrant colors with equally colorful personalities of the couple that owned the establishment, it provided a much-needed ray of sunshine considering how depressing The Year of Shadows can be. And it definitely had its dark moments when Olivia and Henry started "sharing" with the ghosts and learning about their pasts. Topics such as murder, The Great Depression and war are delicately presented in a way that was not overwhelming, but never lacking in severity. Mr. Worthington's story tore me up inside. WHY, CLAIRE. WHY? ARE MY TEARS TASTY?
Legrand also did a fabulous job with her descriptions, making Emerson Hall easily come to life in my head. But I especially loved the ones with the music.
And the descriptions went so well with the beautiful illustrations, which were not finished in my ARC copy. Pro Tip: Totally get a paper copy of this instead of reading the ebook if you can. From the chapter headings with Igor to the bordered page numbers, The Year of Shadows is all-around wonderfully crafted. I'm once again reminded why Middle Grade is often so special, because you don't always get these cool extras in YA or even Adult fiction.
Overall, The Year of Shadows, is a fantastic novel with endearing characters, delicious descriptions and a captivating plot, making this one of my favorites of 2013. While aimed for the Middle Grade audience, it holds a complexity that will compel readers of all ages to flip pages late into the night.
ARC was received from the publisher for an honest review. Thanks!
Be sure to stop by the blog Friday (8/23) for a hilarious story interview written by Claire and a giveaway!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
The novel follows Olivia Stellatella, a kid who's dealing with way more than anyone should have to deal with at her age. Her mother has left Olivia and her father, which causes a strained relationship between them. Her father's failing Orchestra has left them severely in debt, causing Olivia, her grandmother and the Maestro himself to move into the very old Emerson Concert Hall. It doesn't even have a shower. The horror. To make matters worse, Olivia has school troubles, and you can just imagine how all of these things combined can make for a very bitter kid. She's not very kind to the Maestro even though he is obviously dealing with his own demons, the two friends that she does start to make, she pushes away, and she is kind of a brat. As Mr. Potato Head would say, "That ain't no happy child."
But the thing about Olivia is that you can't help but feel for her situation. At times, she is a frustrating character because you want her to just open up already and give people a chance. But at the same time, I understand why she's a loner and why she despises Emerson Hall and blames it partially for her mother's departure. She's a depressed, lonely kid just trying to survive when she discovers the ghosts haunting Emerson Hall. Through a few uncanny friendships, you can see Olivia's' growth as she slowly allows herself to heal. Or rather, she allows the friendships of the ghosts and her two friends to heal her.
Speaking of Olivia's friends, Henry and Joan were fantastic. The one thing I sometimes miss when hanging out in YAland is the dynamic of friendships, because with YA, there is usually such a strong focus on romantic love. But I loved how Henry saw beyond Olivia's facade and was there for her even when she pushed him away. I loved Joan and how she was all about getting involved with causes. Then there was also Igor, the cat, who Olivia may or may not have talked to in her head, dreamy Richard Ashley (fetch me my fainting couch!) and Olivia's grandmother. These characters were adorable and I was so happy that Olivia had them.
My favorite setting would have to be The Happy Place, a coffee shop run by Mr. and Mrs. Barskey. (My Personal Happy Place generally involves my couch, ice cream and watching Pitch Perfect over and over while thinking of ways to then incorporate Pitch Perfect jokes into every conversation I have. A-ca-believe it! But I digress...) With its bright vibrant colors with equally colorful personalities of the couple that owned the establishment, it provided a much-needed ray of sunshine considering how depressing The Year of Shadows can be. And it definitely had its dark moments when Olivia and Henry started "sharing" with the ghosts and learning about their pasts. Topics such as murder, The Great Depression and war are delicately presented in a way that was not overwhelming, but never lacking in severity. Mr. Worthington's story tore me up inside. WHY, CLAIRE. WHY? ARE MY TEARS TASTY?
Legrand also did a fabulous job with her descriptions, making Emerson Hall easily come to life in my head. But I especially loved the ones with the music.
It's a strange feeling, when you hear a good piece of music. It starts out kind of shaky, this hot, heavy knot in your chest. At first it's tiny, like a spot of light in a dark room, but then it builds, pouring through you. And the next thing you know, everything from your forehead down to your fingers and toes is on fire. You feel like the hot, heavy knot in your chest is turning into a bubble. It's full of everything good in the world, and if you don't do something--if you don't run or dance or shout to everyone in the world about this music you've just heard--it'll explode. - The Year of Shadows ARC, page 183
And the descriptions went so well with the beautiful illustrations, which were not finished in my ARC copy. Pro Tip: Totally get a paper copy of this instead of reading the ebook if you can. From the chapter headings with Igor to the bordered page numbers, The Year of Shadows is all-around wonderfully crafted. I'm once again reminded why Middle Grade is often so special, because you don't always get these cool extras in YA or even Adult fiction.
Overall, The Year of Shadows, is a fantastic novel with endearing characters, delicious descriptions and a captivating plot, making this one of my favorites of 2013. While aimed for the Middle Grade audience, it holds a complexity that will compel readers of all ages to flip pages late into the night.
ARC was received from the publisher for an honest review. Thanks!
Be sure to stop by the blog Friday (8/23) for a hilarious story interview written by Claire and a giveaway!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
October 26, 2015
See the cover? OK, it is dark in color, but aside from that the illustration style seems pretty cute and juvenile. This led me to expect a light and fluffier novel than this actually is. That's not a complaint -- I would probably have read it sooner had I not feared it would be too twee for me, as many recent middle grade books have been.
In fact this story is pretty serious and rather dark. Legrand accurately portrays the anger and confusion of people who are facing serious life issues. And the ghosts have some pretty sad backstories, too! I appreciated that this ghost-helping process was difficult for all involved and was an active process rather than just a mediumistic type deal.
Since much is made of Olivia's artistic talent and how dark her sketches are, it would have been nice had the illustrations reflected that. I would have loved to have them be Olivia's drawings, actually. I didn't dislike the ones that were used, please don't be hurt illustrator! I just thought they weren't the best match for the tone of the book.
In fact this story is pretty serious and rather dark. Legrand accurately portrays the anger and confusion of people who are facing serious life issues. And the ghosts have some pretty sad backstories, too! I appreciated that this ghost-helping process was difficult for all involved and was an active process rather than just a mediumistic type deal.
Since much is made of Olivia's artistic talent and how dark her sketches are, it would have been nice had the illustrations reflected that. I would have loved to have them be Olivia's drawings, actually. I didn't dislike the ones that were used, please don't be hurt illustrator! I just thought they weren't the best match for the tone of the book.
December 30, 2014
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
This is another book that I read on my hiatus way back in July, but once again, a novel that really stuck to the back of my mind. The Year of Shadows is a MG novel, and a particularly beautiful one. It explored some pretty dark themes--literally and non-literally, and had the best characters.
I honestly loved all the characters in the end. The book starts with Oliva, and she's had a really tough year--her mother left her without a word, and money started to become scarce in Olivia's family. Her father, who Olivia calls the Maestro, made the decision to leave their old home, and to live in the concert hall instead, so Olivia's family can save money as the Maestro tries to earn more money through conducting the local orchestra. Because of the Maestro's absense, Olivia is alone in the back of the concert hall on most days after school. Her grandmother and a mysterious black cat are her only companions. It's easy to feel sorry for Olivia, all alone and in not the best situations. She soon meets some people--dead and alive that begin to change her world, however.
Igor the cat was my favourite supporting character by far. His no-nonsense and blunt remarks did brighten up the novel a fair bit. He's such a smart cat, and now I want an Igor as well. Olivia also gains a partnership with Henry, as they try to help the ghosts of the Concert Hall. Henry and Olivia's dynamic was heart-warming, and Henry's character didn't go to waste either--there's a lot of depth that is spent in his past and his own family life.
This book was as beautifully written as every other reviewer has stated. I wanted to eat all the words up, but quite frankly, it's not possible in today's world. Though, when I grow up I plan to invent some machine that can turn books into edible food, and taste all the beauty and magic. Sounds totally possible, yeah?
Just watch me.
We explore a fair bit of themes in this novel. The main story line is Olivia and Henry trying to help the ghosts leave the world by finding the one thing they left in our world that anchors them. And the only way for Olivia and Henry to help the ghosts is to let them 'possess' them as they relive their last moments before death, and seek out the thing that makes them unable to leave. It got pretty dark when the tweens were possessed because there's a bit of murder, a lot of death and was rather remorseful. But, it all was handled ideally for an MG read. There's also the constant nagging question of why Olivia's mother left Olivia and the exploration of how Olivia comes to terms with it.
The Year of Shadows was a mesmerizing read that was beautiful and absolutely magical. If you love MG and haven't read this: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?
This is another book that I read on my hiatus way back in July, but once again, a novel that really stuck to the back of my mind. The Year of Shadows is a MG novel, and a particularly beautiful one. It explored some pretty dark themes--literally and non-literally, and had the best characters.
I honestly loved all the characters in the end. The book starts with Oliva, and she's had a really tough year--her mother left her without a word, and money started to become scarce in Olivia's family. Her father, who Olivia calls the Maestro, made the decision to leave their old home, and to live in the concert hall instead, so Olivia's family can save money as the Maestro tries to earn more money through conducting the local orchestra. Because of the Maestro's absense, Olivia is alone in the back of the concert hall on most days after school. Her grandmother and a mysterious black cat are her only companions. It's easy to feel sorry for Olivia, all alone and in not the best situations. She soon meets some people--dead and alive that begin to change her world, however.
Igor the cat was my favourite supporting character by far. His no-nonsense and blunt remarks did brighten up the novel a fair bit. He's such a smart cat, and now I want an Igor as well. Olivia also gains a partnership with Henry, as they try to help the ghosts of the Concert Hall. Henry and Olivia's dynamic was heart-warming, and Henry's character didn't go to waste either--there's a lot of depth that is spent in his past and his own family life.
This book was as beautifully written as every other reviewer has stated. I wanted to eat all the words up, but quite frankly, it's not possible in today's world. Though, when I grow up I plan to invent some machine that can turn books into edible food, and taste all the beauty and magic. Sounds totally possible, yeah?
Just watch me.
We explore a fair bit of themes in this novel. The main story line is Olivia and Henry trying to help the ghosts leave the world by finding the one thing they left in our world that anchors them. And the only way for Olivia and Henry to help the ghosts is to let them 'possess' them as they relive their last moments before death, and seek out the thing that makes them unable to leave. It got pretty dark when the tweens were possessed because there's a bit of murder, a lot of death and was rather remorseful. But, it all was handled ideally for an MG read. There's also the constant nagging question of why Olivia's mother left Olivia and the exploration of how Olivia comes to terms with it.
The Year of Shadows was a mesmerizing read that was beautiful and absolutely magical. If you love MG and haven't read this: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?
August 6, 2013
A delightful, yet dark MG novel; The Year of Shadows is dusted with ghosts, entertaining personalities, and an unexpected amount of grave topics which are handled with complete expertise, all through the delicate eyes of a child who is harboring a mountain of pain.
This book is about a young girl, Olivia, who has had to move into this battered concert hall where her father works due to the stupid Economy. Fostering anger towards both her father for bringing her to this dank place, and her mother for leaving without saying goodbye, she's tuning everyone out to concentrate on the one thing she loves: drawing. Then the ghosts show up. From abandonment to loneliness to grief, Olivia's heart became my own when I was reading her story; the heavy burden of her sadness is palpable. She's feeling so much bitterness towards life that it's affecting how her peers see her at school - mostly as a freak and a loner - as well as how she reacts to others, even when they show kindness. Consequently, we get a character who's indignant, yet easy to care for; it makes her situation even more saddening - a situation that holds threads of familiarity for many, unfortunately. She does acquire a support system, however. Her friends Henry and Joan who are both quirky - Joan especially, - as well as a hilariously witty cat by the name of Igor, then we can't forget the ghosts we meet throughout with their own stories and endearing charm. A memorable cast like this is just what I hope to get inside an MG novel.
This plot revolves around two major aspects. One is the hardship of Olivia's situation including wondering why her mother abandoned her, for which she blames her father and the orchestra. The other revolves around the ghosts who need help finding their anchor to our world so they can finally deal and move on, an ordeal with which Olivia and Henry agree to help. This process is actually pretty dark overall. It involves them letting the ghosts use their minds and bodies to relive their deaths which can be pretty brutal. The first experiment was the least glossed over when we're brought into an ugly murder scene, this is where we get to see the mental and physical effects of this ordeal on Olivia and Henry. It was actually fascinating in a way and very well imagined, too - same as with the description of the ghosts - for which I commend the author. Most of the other deaths were mainly referenced, leaving it to our imagination with a brief depiction, but the atmosphere was set. While this is all happening, Olivia is dealing with the aforementioned harsh topics of this novel. It's a story with a lot of intersections, leaving little room to lose any steam; even so, I did find it bordered on the long side. Also, if you're debating, get a print copy as it has lovely imagery throughout that an ebook (especially the e-ARC) couldn't do justice.
It's a novel full of magic, mystery, life, and family. If you enjoy MG novels with a dark vibe that manages to be both sad and beautiful, this is one you should put on your list!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
This book is about a young girl, Olivia, who has had to move into this battered concert hall where her father works due to the stupid Economy. Fostering anger towards both her father for bringing her to this dank place, and her mother for leaving without saying goodbye, she's tuning everyone out to concentrate on the one thing she loves: drawing. Then the ghosts show up. From abandonment to loneliness to grief, Olivia's heart became my own when I was reading her story; the heavy burden of her sadness is palpable. She's feeling so much bitterness towards life that it's affecting how her peers see her at school - mostly as a freak and a loner - as well as how she reacts to others, even when they show kindness. Consequently, we get a character who's indignant, yet easy to care for; it makes her situation even more saddening - a situation that holds threads of familiarity for many, unfortunately. She does acquire a support system, however. Her friends Henry and Joan who are both quirky - Joan especially, - as well as a hilariously witty cat by the name of Igor, then we can't forget the ghosts we meet throughout with their own stories and endearing charm. A memorable cast like this is just what I hope to get inside an MG novel.
This plot revolves around two major aspects. One is the hardship of Olivia's situation including wondering why her mother abandoned her, for which she blames her father and the orchestra. The other revolves around the ghosts who need help finding their anchor to our world so they can finally deal and move on, an ordeal with which Olivia and Henry agree to help. This process is actually pretty dark overall. It involves them letting the ghosts use their minds and bodies to relive their deaths which can be pretty brutal. The first experiment was the least glossed over when we're brought into an ugly murder scene, this is where we get to see the mental and physical effects of this ordeal on Olivia and Henry. It was actually fascinating in a way and very well imagined, too - same as with the description of the ghosts - for which I commend the author. Most of the other deaths were mainly referenced, leaving it to our imagination with a brief depiction, but the atmosphere was set. While this is all happening, Olivia is dealing with the aforementioned harsh topics of this novel. It's a story with a lot of intersections, leaving little room to lose any steam; even so, I did find it bordered on the long side. Also, if you're debating, get a print copy as it has lovely imagery throughout that an ebook (especially the e-ARC) couldn't do justice.
It's a novel full of magic, mystery, life, and family. If you enjoy MG novels with a dark vibe that manages to be both sad and beautiful, this is one you should put on your list!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
October 25, 2017
In my opinion on this Book, The Years of Shadows is a slow action book about this girl Olivia and how her life has changed when he mom has "left" her and all the things that happen to her as she tries to continue a normal life. I think this is a really slow action book because the rising action of the story starts out really slow and it kinda bores me, so I just skipped to the middle towards the end of the book to read the climax and the falling action. I can kinda relate to this book because one year this new girl came to my old school YCIS, she basically took all the attention and she is just really smart and everyone liked her. But she just gives me this weird vibe for some strange reason. So when I was reading this book I can feel how the main charter in this book feels like when everyone liked the "smart" kid and only she is the one that dislikes the "smart" kid. Overall this book is pretty interesting and if you like slow action books you should give it a try.
July 12, 2019
Four years later and this book still has a powerful hold on my heart. It was one of the first books by Claire Legrand that I read and her writing style grabbed me and hooked me in deep. The flow of words was beautiful and a pleasure to read.
Olivia’s a twelve-year-old girl who’s mom left her with her neglectful maestro father who uprooted her and her grandmother from their home to a run-down concert hall after falling on hard times. Olivia’s life has been turned upside down and it’s heartbreaking to see her try to adjust to her new life, to cope with the fear of homelessness, to be the adult.
No child should be forced to grow up fast, to care for adults when it should be the other way around. I wanted to put my arms around Olivia and make everything okay for her. So many times I had to stop reading at a certain scene because it was too painful. I had to breathe for a moment before I could go on. If it was that hard for me to read about Olivia’s life, how much harder was it for this girl to live it?
There was a slant of the supernatural to the story with the addition of ghosts that added a really good twist. A delightful cat and friends with interesting characters added some humor and really sweet moments. The plot-line was excellent and very clever. The Year of Shadows was a beautiful, heartfelt story – so well-written it took a permanent place in my heart.
Posted on Blog
February 11, 2019
This was spooky, wonderful, and thought provoking all in one. Claire Legrand is so spectacular when it come to writing eerie yet whimsical stories that have deep meanings at the very core. At the very beginning of this book she tells the readers she wrote this book on a very personal note and that is no lie. You can feel the raw emotion Legrand put into these words and this story.
The story and the characters were so much fun. A story about making sure to follow your dreams and to live with no regrets. I love that Legrand is writing these stories for middle grade readers because once again like I said in my review for her previous book. Young readers need to know this, they need to know that their is always a light at the end of the tunnel and to keep their dreams alive and kicking.
Olivia was a great protagonist and surrounded by a great cast of side characters. From her friend Henry to her adorable cat Igor. Olivia and Igor had this super cute relationship. They would communicate with each other through talk and verbal expressions. I feel like that is how I communicate with my animals to. Olivia and Henry have a great bond and friendship arc. The thing I love the most though is how much Olivia grows as a character. Her arc is very deep and raw and the emotional journey she goes on watered my eyes a little bit.
Another successful read by Ms. Legrand and I am excited to continue my journey through her works.
The story and the characters were so much fun. A story about making sure to follow your dreams and to live with no regrets. I love that Legrand is writing these stories for middle grade readers because once again like I said in my review for her previous book. Young readers need to know this, they need to know that their is always a light at the end of the tunnel and to keep their dreams alive and kicking.
Olivia was a great protagonist and surrounded by a great cast of side characters. From her friend Henry to her adorable cat Igor. Olivia and Igor had this super cute relationship. They would communicate with each other through talk and verbal expressions. I feel like that is how I communicate with my animals to. Olivia and Henry have a great bond and friendship arc. The thing I love the most though is how much Olivia grows as a character. Her arc is very deep and raw and the emotional journey she goes on watered my eyes a little bit.
Another successful read by Ms. Legrand and I am excited to continue my journey through her works.
August 29, 2013
Middle grade books always get to me. Why? Because childhood and innocence are sacred to me and when injustices are done to either of these two precious things, it's difficult to accept.
Claire Legrand's The Year of Shadows is not a walk in the park. It is not an action adventure that you can read on and off for a few giggles. This is a story of loss. Many losses. Olivia and her Nonnie and her maestro father have moved into the music hall because money is tight and they've had to sell their belongings. This is, of course, after Olivia's mother left them about a year ago, having just given up on their life changing for the better. Olivia's life is hard -- practically homeless, lost cause of a father, senile grandmother, absentee mother, friendless, weird...all at 12 years old. And because of this, Olivia is a little punk. She's abrasive, stone-cold, and desperately lonely. All she really wants are things to go right, and I feel that that was one of the things that kept gently snagging at me, gripping me. Such a simple wish.
Olivia was an intriguing little thing; snapping at people with witty remarks, then simmering down to a whisper whenever she felt like crying but tried not to. She may come across as impressively mature for her age but then I think of children around the world dealing with such extraordinary circumstances and thought, no, never underestimate children. I think their ability to observe and absorb is one of the key elements of her characters. It's part of what Olivia symbolizes. Understanding of life and the world is also portrayed in Henry and Joan. Henry has a secret, one that is just as dramatic and harrowing as Olivia's but his path towards acceptance and moving forward is movingly admirable. And Joan, oh I can't wait for you to meet Joan. Intelligent, strong-willed, and stubborn, she is comic relief in all the drama.
I found these supporting characters thoroughly refreshing. Henry is one of the "populars" but for once (in any book I've read), he's popular for a good reason. Not because he's good-looking or rich but because he's smart, talented, and not afraid to make decisions for himself. And Joan, who is pretty and rich, who, Olivia notes, would've been popular if she chose; except Joan chooses to be true to herself and her values and sod the student body if they think she's a nut job. Applause! One complaint -- not enough of either.
As I mentioned, this book deals with some intense subject matter. The premise is that of a girl who meets ghosts who seek her help in "moving on". This new representation of life and death, heaven, hell, and limbo is new to me. There is a twist in the legend of spirits being held back because of anchors keeping them tied yet powerless to the world of the living. It involves shadows and shades and portals to another dimension.
But the ghosts and their stories. Of Tillie and Jax, and Mr. Worthington. Each of these individual stories is enough to threaten my tear ducts. They highlight suffering through actual dangerous and saddening moments in history. They were brief but Legrand's expert writing goes straight through the flesh, the bones, and the heart. Perhaps a little more back story would be helpful for the younger readers who might not catch the signs as easily as an adult already familiar with the topic, but, nevertheless, it was effective.
And that would probably be my only real criticism. This is very clearly a middle grade book written with an adult audience heavily weighing in the mind, which isn't a bad thing. I say this because near the end, Olivia begins to deal with the concept of forgiveness, and while forgiveness isn't necessarily a difficult idea to comprehend, the context in which it manifests is arguably mature. I just hope the children who pick this up -- which I'm sure they will because it's a great title and an awesome cover -- will have just as a fulfilling experience as an adult would undoubtedly have. Good, though. Real good.
This review also appears on The Midnight Garden.
We are also part of the Blog Tour. Check out our interview and giveaway.
Claire Legrand's The Year of Shadows is not a walk in the park. It is not an action adventure that you can read on and off for a few giggles. This is a story of loss. Many losses. Olivia and her Nonnie and her maestro father have moved into the music hall because money is tight and they've had to sell their belongings. This is, of course, after Olivia's mother left them about a year ago, having just given up on their life changing for the better. Olivia's life is hard -- practically homeless, lost cause of a father, senile grandmother, absentee mother, friendless, weird...all at 12 years old. And because of this, Olivia is a little punk. She's abrasive, stone-cold, and desperately lonely. All she really wants are things to go right, and I feel that that was one of the things that kept gently snagging at me, gripping me. Such a simple wish.
Olivia was an intriguing little thing; snapping at people with witty remarks, then simmering down to a whisper whenever she felt like crying but tried not to. She may come across as impressively mature for her age but then I think of children around the world dealing with such extraordinary circumstances and thought, no, never underestimate children. I think their ability to observe and absorb is one of the key elements of her characters. It's part of what Olivia symbolizes. Understanding of life and the world is also portrayed in Henry and Joan. Henry has a secret, one that is just as dramatic and harrowing as Olivia's but his path towards acceptance and moving forward is movingly admirable. And Joan, oh I can't wait for you to meet Joan. Intelligent, strong-willed, and stubborn, she is comic relief in all the drama.
I found these supporting characters thoroughly refreshing. Henry is one of the "populars" but for once (in any book I've read), he's popular for a good reason. Not because he's good-looking or rich but because he's smart, talented, and not afraid to make decisions for himself. And Joan, who is pretty and rich, who, Olivia notes, would've been popular if she chose; except Joan chooses to be true to herself and her values and sod the student body if they think she's a nut job. Applause! One complaint -- not enough of either.
As I mentioned, this book deals with some intense subject matter. The premise is that of a girl who meets ghosts who seek her help in "moving on". This new representation of life and death, heaven, hell, and limbo is new to me. There is a twist in the legend of spirits being held back because of anchors keeping them tied yet powerless to the world of the living. It involves shadows and shades and portals to another dimension.
But the ghosts and their stories. Of Tillie and Jax, and Mr. Worthington. Each of these individual stories is enough to threaten my tear ducts. They highlight suffering through actual dangerous and saddening moments in history. They were brief but Legrand's expert writing goes straight through the flesh, the bones, and the heart. Perhaps a little more back story would be helpful for the younger readers who might not catch the signs as easily as an adult already familiar with the topic, but, nevertheless, it was effective.
And that would probably be my only real criticism. This is very clearly a middle grade book written with an adult audience heavily weighing in the mind, which isn't a bad thing. I say this because near the end, Olivia begins to deal with the concept of forgiveness, and while forgiveness isn't necessarily a difficult idea to comprehend, the context in which it manifests is arguably mature. I just hope the children who pick this up -- which I'm sure they will because it's a great title and an awesome cover -- will have just as a fulfilling experience as an adult would undoubtedly have. Good, though. Real good.
This review also appears on The Midnight Garden.
We are also part of the Blog Tour. Check out our interview and giveaway.
August 7, 2013
Update 7-30-13: Thank you, First Reads GR Giveaways and Simon and Schuster for my ARC of the book!
Olivia hates the music hall.
It's cold, dark, crumbling, and brings up memories that she'd rather forget.
And now she's living there.
After Olivia's mother left, her father (whom she refers to as simply 'the Maestro') makes an impulsive decision and sells their house, in the hopes they can save his dying orchestra.
Olivia is forced to live in a dank, depressing storage room with her aging grandmother, her only companion a cat she found wandering in the building.
When she and Henry, a boy Olivia calls Mr. Perfect and loathes entirely, encounter four ghosts and strange, frightening shadow creatures, the music hall is suddenly a lot more interesting.
But dealing with ghosts can be dangerous, and even worse, the music hall is running out of money and will be demolished without it. Can Olivia save both the music hall and the ghosts before everything falls apart?
This may be the most emotional middle grade novel I have ever read, next to the Warriors series.
I kept having to put the book down and think, "This is a children's book."
The family issues are dark and heartbreaking.
The setting is dreary and cold.
The characters are unique and, frankly, all a bit mentally unstable.
Olivia took nobody's shit, whether that person was her lovesick father or the local school jerk.
Instead of writing boys' names in notebooks, she drew zombies and bloodthirsty monsters in sketchbooks.
Her first reaction on being attacked by terrifying black shadow creatures was, "Oh, I want to draw them."
Unlike Henry, she wanted to communicate and look for the ghosts instead of hiding from them.
As you can see, her badass qualities go on.
Oh, and Oliva x Henry;
Totally shipping it.
The minute I saw that this book took place in an old music hall, I immediately wanted to read it. Ghosts + ancient music hall + cat on cover? Yes please.
The ghosts and their stories were so new and refreshing, so original compared to all of the other ghost stories out there.
Now, it's not a perfect book. There were a few things I would have fixed up.
1. Pacing. The story tended to drag in a lot of parts. The book was probably a lot longer than it should have been.
2. Olivia's attitude. Despite being badass and sometimes even a sassmaster, she could be very harsh when she didn't need to be.
I don't understand why, throughout the novel, she hates her dad so much. She would never give him a chance.
Sure, he was forgetful and obsessive but he lost your mother too. You're not the only one who's sad and confused as to why she left.
3. Confusion clearup. There was certain parts in the book that were never really explained.
I wish it was specified when this book took place because that would make it a lot easier.
At first I thought it took place in the present, but the ghosts mentioned a war coming, and at first I thought, World War II, but then something else came up and confused me again. That whole area of the book didn't make any sense.
Other than those issues I had with the story, this book was better than I thought it would be. A dark, gloomy tale, perfect for Halloween or those looking for a deep middle grade novel.
August 27, 2013
3.5 stars, rounded up for Igor being the awesomest
First up, the disclaimer: yes, I know Claire Legrand and she's awesome, but that did not influence my opinion of the book in any way. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Though I've had Claire's debut novel, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls for over a year now, I've not managed to work it into my schedule, so I'm glad I've finally gotten to try her writing. Also, I'm pleased to say that I like her writing. Hurrah! Claire Legrand has written a beautiful, occasionally creepy story about a grumpy young girl who learns how to open up her heart and enjoy life again.
My second favorite aspect of The Year of Shadows is definitely the heroine. Olivia Stellatella is a delight, but which I mean she is a seriously grouchy, cynical kid. She may be young, but her life has been hard and it's getting more difficult by the time. First, her mom abandoned her, then her dad got completely caught up in trying to save the orchestra for which he conducts, and now her family (Olivia, The Maestro (Dad, though she never calls him that because he made mom leave), and Nonnie (grandma)) has moved into the concert hall, living in two little rooms and making do with the makeshift kitchen. Olivia hates that she's had to move here, worries that they won't have enough food to eat, and shops at the thrift shop. Even worse, she knows that, if the orchestra's ticket sales do not improve, it's done after this season, meaning they'll be even worse off because of The Economy. In other words, if this were a movie, Olivia would be played by either a young Winona Ryder or Christina Ricci.
Actually, that comparison is pretty accurate too. Much as I try to resist going too crazy with comparing books to other books or movies, I can't resist this time. There are a lot of parallels to Casper but with some of the creepiness of Beetlejuice, but, of course, with some magic totally unique to Legrand's vision. The ghosts are by turns horrifying and friendly. The shades pretty much reside in Creeptown, USA and Legrand's Limbo is haunting.
Now, let's go back. Remember how I mentioned that Olivia was my second favorite? Well, my favorite is Igor. He's this cat who adopts Olivia, though she might tell you it happened the other way round. Olivia fancies that he speaks to her, and imagines that his voice sounds very like Cary Grant. Igor's such a cat, with his helpful suggestions like this one: "I know what will make you feel better. Petting me. Better yet, asking for permission to pet me" (211). How can anyone not love a cat that just might talk like Cary Grant? Also, I credit Igor with getting the kids through everything and teaching Olivia how to love. He convinces her to give people another shot and nudges her in the right direction with his knowing cat ways.
Another aspect I adore is the music. In Claire Legrand's bio, it says that she "was a musician until she couldn't stop thinking about the stories in her head." Her love of music really shines in The Year of Shadows. Her descriptions of letting music wash over you are lyrical and moving. The dynamics of the band too are so apt, especially the depiction of the trumpet player. It's wonderful when authors can work in some of their real life passions, because that emotion seeps into those sections in a way that really shows.
The ghost story element is well done, especially for the intended audience. With each ghost, there's a little miniature story arc full of action and adventure, followed by a scavenger hunt of sorts, and what kid will not be all over that? I did have some minor quibbles with the way some of the logic worked, but, for the most part, I was able to sit back and enjoy the story.
Themes of family and friendship are also highly prevalent in The Year of Shadows. Though I think a lot of the right notes are struck here, I don't think they're held quite long enough or played with enough emotion. Legrand does a nice job establishing the friendship with Henry and Olivia, but their lunch table friend Joan comes and goes as is convenient in the story. Similarly, Henry never comes to any sort of realization about his bullying friend, though it seemed like that would be one of the impending plot points. With family too, resolutions seemed a bit too smooth and sudden, with the awkward moments skipped or glossed over. This might be a plus for younger readers, but I was hoping for those emotional wallops. Also, we're sort of left hanging on what's going to happen to Olivia next, and I'm wondering if she's going to be okay.
Claire Legrand's sophomore novel features lovely writing, both sassy and creepy ghosts, and a heartwarming tale of learning to let people in. The Year of Shadows is an excellent read for middle grade readers and for older readers who enjoy new twists on ghost mythologies.
First up, the disclaimer: yes, I know Claire Legrand and she's awesome, but that did not influence my opinion of the book in any way. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Though I've had Claire's debut novel, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls for over a year now, I've not managed to work it into my schedule, so I'm glad I've finally gotten to try her writing. Also, I'm pleased to say that I like her writing. Hurrah! Claire Legrand has written a beautiful, occasionally creepy story about a grumpy young girl who learns how to open up her heart and enjoy life again.
My second favorite aspect of The Year of Shadows is definitely the heroine. Olivia Stellatella is a delight, but which I mean she is a seriously grouchy, cynical kid. She may be young, but her life has been hard and it's getting more difficult by the time. First, her mom abandoned her, then her dad got completely caught up in trying to save the orchestra for which he conducts, and now her family (Olivia, The Maestro (Dad, though she never calls him that because he made mom leave), and Nonnie (grandma)) has moved into the concert hall, living in two little rooms and making do with the makeshift kitchen. Olivia hates that she's had to move here, worries that they won't have enough food to eat, and shops at the thrift shop. Even worse, she knows that, if the orchestra's ticket sales do not improve, it's done after this season, meaning they'll be even worse off because of The Economy. In other words, if this were a movie, Olivia would be played by either a young Winona Ryder or Christina Ricci.
Actually, that comparison is pretty accurate too. Much as I try to resist going too crazy with comparing books to other books or movies, I can't resist this time. There are a lot of parallels to Casper but with some of the creepiness of Beetlejuice, but, of course, with some magic totally unique to Legrand's vision. The ghosts are by turns horrifying and friendly. The shades pretty much reside in Creeptown, USA and Legrand's Limbo is haunting.
Now, let's go back. Remember how I mentioned that Olivia was my second favorite? Well, my favorite is Igor. He's this cat who adopts Olivia, though she might tell you it happened the other way round. Olivia fancies that he speaks to her, and imagines that his voice sounds very like Cary Grant. Igor's such a cat, with his helpful suggestions like this one: "I know what will make you feel better. Petting me. Better yet, asking for permission to pet me" (211). How can anyone not love a cat that just might talk like Cary Grant? Also, I credit Igor with getting the kids through everything and teaching Olivia how to love. He convinces her to give people another shot and nudges her in the right direction with his knowing cat ways.
Another aspect I adore is the music. In Claire Legrand's bio, it says that she "was a musician until she couldn't stop thinking about the stories in her head." Her love of music really shines in The Year of Shadows. Her descriptions of letting music wash over you are lyrical and moving. The dynamics of the band too are so apt, especially the depiction of the trumpet player. It's wonderful when authors can work in some of their real life passions, because that emotion seeps into those sections in a way that really shows.
The ghost story element is well done, especially for the intended audience. With each ghost, there's a little miniature story arc full of action and adventure, followed by a scavenger hunt of sorts, and what kid will not be all over that? I did have some minor quibbles with the way some of the logic worked, but, for the most part, I was able to sit back and enjoy the story.
Themes of family and friendship are also highly prevalent in The Year of Shadows. Though I think a lot of the right notes are struck here, I don't think they're held quite long enough or played with enough emotion. Legrand does a nice job establishing the friendship with Henry and Olivia, but their lunch table friend Joan comes and goes as is convenient in the story. Similarly, Henry never comes to any sort of realization about his bullying friend, though it seemed like that would be one of the impending plot points. With family too, resolutions seemed a bit too smooth and sudden, with the awkward moments skipped or glossed over. This might be a plus for younger readers, but I was hoping for those emotional wallops. Also, we're sort of left hanging on what's going to happen to Olivia next, and I'm wondering if she's going to be okay.
Claire Legrand's sophomore novel features lovely writing, both sassy and creepy ghosts, and a heartwarming tale of learning to let people in. The Year of Shadows is an excellent read for middle grade readers and for older readers who enjoy new twists on ghost mythologies.
September 11, 2017
I have finally, finally read this book for a second time. It's been more than four years since I first read it. And so I had forgotten just how much I loved this book. And oh, my love for it is strong. I adore Claire like crazy, and her books are always the best. I simply loved this book the most this second time reading it. I'm so glad that I finally took the time to read it again. I adore Olivia and Henry and the ghosts the very most. Eee. But oh gosh, my want for a sequel is so huge right now. I want more so badly. How very rude.
The writing in this book is so good. And I connected so well with all of the characters. Sigh. I love that this book is told from the point of view of twelve year old Olivia. She was simply the sweetest person. But she was also full of hurt and anger. And I did not blame her one bit. Okay, I was a bit upset with her at first, for how she treated her father, but then the reveal happened near the end of the book, and I got very upset with him too. Hmph. Olivia is the best girl. She's a bit broken, yet still so good. Loved getting to know her.
This book tells the story of Olivia and her ghosts. Though at first it's just her, and she has been forced to move into an old concert hall with her dad and her grandma. Her mom left them months ago, and she is feeling so bitter and sad about all of that. And reading about it just broke my heart. Because Olivia now has no friends, and she's sad and angry, and people are picking on her at school, and I did not approve one bit. I just wanted to hug this girl so badly. Sniffs. It was written really well, though. But extremely sad.
Olivia is not okay with living at the concert hall, because it isn't a home at all. And so she's taking it out on her dad a lot. And I can't say I blame her for that. He was not a great parent at all. Hmph. And her Nonnie wasn't all that much help either, as she was eighty years old. But she was the sweetest thing and I loved her. But oh, how my heart broke for Olivia at all times. Not fair at all. I loved how she meets the cat in this book, though. He was adorable and I loved how Olivia pretended he could talk. So cute. Adored this cat.
I just loved getting to know Olivia. I loved how she was amazing at drawing and how she drew all the time. It broke my heart that she was so alone all the time, and how she felt about it all. But what I loved the most was when she started hanging out with Henry. Eee. It was the cutest thing; reading about how they became friends. She does not like him at first, because he's pretty much perfect. But he keeps trying to be her friend, and she warms up to him eventually. And oh, how cute they were together. I loved it so.
And reading about Henry was just the best. He was adorable and so kind and I loved learning about his past as well. Ah. I loved how they both also started to feel something more than friendship towards each other. Eee. I just wish they had been a bit older, so more could have happened. Hmph. Rude. But it was perfect. And I loved it so. Olivia also starts to become friends with this lovely girl, Joan. And I loved that so very much, because she was awesome. A bit scared, yet so lovely too and a great friend. I adored her.
Then there were the ghosts. Because this book isn't only about these amazing characters and their lives. It is also about a whole lot of ghosts. Which was so interesting and exciting to read about. And so very creepy too. There are four main ghosts that Olivia and Henry gets to know, and they were adorable to read about. I loved them so. But oh, reading about all the back stories just about killed me. It was so sad and heartbreaking. Yet so lovely too. I loved reading about the ghosts and how Olivia had to help them.
There is so much happening in this book. So much that I had forgotten about. Like that twist with Olivia's mom. That thing was shocking once again, though this time I noticed all the small hints about it from the beginning. But yeah, pretty heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. I just loved this book the very most. Olivia and Henry were so perfect to read about. And I loved their friendship the very most. I just wish I could read more about them. Aw. The ending was good, but oh, how I wanted an epilogue as well.
There is so much that I love about this precious. And I haven't talked about all the things I love about it at all. Just what I was able to share at this moment. I had forgotten so so many details about this gorgeous book since my first read four years ago. Like how much I really truly loved it. I will never let it go so many years again before I re-read this precious. I also read it as an eARC back then, and so the artwork wasn't final, and gosh, seeing the final versions now just about killed me. So beautiful. Read this book right now.
---
I first read this book on March 28th 2013. See my old review here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2013/0...
I read this book for the second time on September 10th 2017. See my book recommendation here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2017/0...
The writing in this book is so good. And I connected so well with all of the characters. Sigh. I love that this book is told from the point of view of twelve year old Olivia. She was simply the sweetest person. But she was also full of hurt and anger. And I did not blame her one bit. Okay, I was a bit upset with her at first, for how she treated her father, but then the reveal happened near the end of the book, and I got very upset with him too. Hmph. Olivia is the best girl. She's a bit broken, yet still so good. Loved getting to know her.
This book tells the story of Olivia and her ghosts. Though at first it's just her, and she has been forced to move into an old concert hall with her dad and her grandma. Her mom left them months ago, and she is feeling so bitter and sad about all of that. And reading about it just broke my heart. Because Olivia now has no friends, and she's sad and angry, and people are picking on her at school, and I did not approve one bit. I just wanted to hug this girl so badly. Sniffs. It was written really well, though. But extremely sad.
Olivia is not okay with living at the concert hall, because it isn't a home at all. And so she's taking it out on her dad a lot. And I can't say I blame her for that. He was not a great parent at all. Hmph. And her Nonnie wasn't all that much help either, as she was eighty years old. But she was the sweetest thing and I loved her. But oh, how my heart broke for Olivia at all times. Not fair at all. I loved how she meets the cat in this book, though. He was adorable and I loved how Olivia pretended he could talk. So cute. Adored this cat.
I just loved getting to know Olivia. I loved how she was amazing at drawing and how she drew all the time. It broke my heart that she was so alone all the time, and how she felt about it all. But what I loved the most was when she started hanging out with Henry. Eee. It was the cutest thing; reading about how they became friends. She does not like him at first, because he's pretty much perfect. But he keeps trying to be her friend, and she warms up to him eventually. And oh, how cute they were together. I loved it so.
And reading about Henry was just the best. He was adorable and so kind and I loved learning about his past as well. Ah. I loved how they both also started to feel something more than friendship towards each other. Eee. I just wish they had been a bit older, so more could have happened. Hmph. Rude. But it was perfect. And I loved it so. Olivia also starts to become friends with this lovely girl, Joan. And I loved that so very much, because she was awesome. A bit scared, yet so lovely too and a great friend. I adored her.
Then there were the ghosts. Because this book isn't only about these amazing characters and their lives. It is also about a whole lot of ghosts. Which was so interesting and exciting to read about. And so very creepy too. There are four main ghosts that Olivia and Henry gets to know, and they were adorable to read about. I loved them so. But oh, reading about all the back stories just about killed me. It was so sad and heartbreaking. Yet so lovely too. I loved reading about the ghosts and how Olivia had to help them.
There is so much happening in this book. So much that I had forgotten about. Like that twist with Olivia's mom. That thing was shocking once again, though this time I noticed all the small hints about it from the beginning. But yeah, pretty heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. I just loved this book the very most. Olivia and Henry were so perfect to read about. And I loved their friendship the very most. I just wish I could read more about them. Aw. The ending was good, but oh, how I wanted an epilogue as well.
There is so much that I love about this precious. And I haven't talked about all the things I love about it at all. Just what I was able to share at this moment. I had forgotten so so many details about this gorgeous book since my first read four years ago. Like how much I really truly loved it. I will never let it go so many years again before I re-read this precious. I also read it as an eARC back then, and so the artwork wasn't final, and gosh, seeing the final versions now just about killed me. So beautiful. Read this book right now.
---
I first read this book on March 28th 2013. See my old review here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2013/0...
I read this book for the second time on September 10th 2017. See my book recommendation here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2017/0...
June 24, 2013
3.5
I'm not very familiar with Marilyn Monroe; I haven't seen many movie of hers nor listened to her songs. Yet, I love the way she talks. And so I'd like you to hallucinate this review in her voice and accent.
The Year of Shadows has a lot to give to those who ask for it.
Unfortunately, I'm not one of those.
The book works on a banal concept, but the execution is diverse and that's where the strength lies.
Olivia Stellatella's is the kid who's having to move into a concert hall, whose mother has abandoned her, and whose father is falling apart along with his orchestra that pays their bills. She's moved apart from her life and drifts through it like a ghost- that is, until she actually stumbles into one.
But these are good ghouls. These are Casper the friendly ghost ghosts that you will love and they'll love you back. They all have infinite sadness inside them, wanting to move on, wanting to remember but forgetting all the same.
In helping them, she finds motivation. To do something. To stop drifting. In them, she finds a family to fill the gape left by the one that's all but shattered.
The book takes on tough subjects, topics that don't directly affect Olivia but are linked to her. Missing parents, both in body and mind, bullying, failing economy, wars and how all this affects a child. How it all converges and erodes away their innocence deliberately and assuredly.
The characterization is bona fide and faceted. Every ghost has its story it doesn't want to divulge and every person has their ghost they desperately try to hide.
Claire Legrand catches the spirit of a broken twelve-uear-old and stuff it into Olivia, even while employing some corny features. On the surface, Olivia is simply a version of Violet Parr- minus the superhero and invisible tendencies.
Something like this
But there's more to her. How she lives her life, in fear everyday that everybody will leave her. How she loves the orchestra, even as she blames and hates them for all her troubles. How she wishes her mother back but still can't help her abject anger for leaving Olivia.
Henry(a live human) was also an interesting character. He has his fears and sorrow, sometimes he runs away and acts cowardly but he comes back. Always. And he stays till the end.
The portrayal of the relationship between Olivia and her father, the Maestro will definitely break many a heart, even if mine isn't included in that. I appreciate the raw realism with which Legrand gives a view of a remiss parentage, whether deliberate or otherwise.
Emotions run deep in this book and you'll have to be in a certain mind to fully realize every aspect of it, methinks.
The imprecise nature of illustrations, while impressive on its own, doesn't truly complement the story, with its air of elegance and the little elaborate decorations on some of the pages.
BUT like I said earlier, it's the execution of the plot that steals the limelight. It's simple at first: these ghosts want to move on but they can't until the find the 'anchors' that affix them to this reality. But they've forgotten most of their lives.
They don't know what it is that holds them and to remember, they'll have to engage inpossibly certainly perilous deeds.
Possession.
Or sharing, as the ghosts prefer to call it.
Share the bodies of humans so they can relive their last moments and die again and remember.
And as though, all this isn't dangerous enough, there are beings called Shades- ghosts who have lost it all and want it back. The light, the touch, the chance to move on. And since they can't, they'll do the next best thing: prevent others from moving on.
So all in all, it was an engaging story.
For me, though, it falls flat sometimes with revelations and action scenes and the pacing.
But I'm just a sulky, old teenager grumbling about the scarcity of Oreos in this world and the abundance of trigonometric equations.
A review copy was provided by the publishers.
I'm not very familiar with Marilyn Monroe; I haven't seen many movie of hers nor listened to her songs. Yet, I love the way she talks. And so I'd like you to hallucinate this review in her voice and accent.
The Year of Shadows has a lot to give to those who ask for it.
Unfortunately, I'm not one of those.
The book works on a banal concept, but the execution is diverse and that's where the strength lies.
Olivia Stellatella's is the kid who's having to move into a concert hall, whose mother has abandoned her, and whose father is falling apart along with his orchestra that pays their bills. She's moved apart from her life and drifts through it like a ghost- that is, until she actually stumbles into one.
But these are good ghouls. These are Casper the friendly ghost ghosts that you will love and they'll love you back. They all have infinite sadness inside them, wanting to move on, wanting to remember but forgetting all the same.
In helping them, she finds motivation. To do something. To stop drifting. In them, she finds a family to fill the gape left by the one that's all but shattered.
The book takes on tough subjects, topics that don't directly affect Olivia but are linked to her. Missing parents, both in body and mind, bullying, failing economy, wars and how all this affects a child. How it all converges and erodes away their innocence deliberately and assuredly.
The characterization is bona fide and faceted. Every ghost has its story it doesn't want to divulge and every person has their ghost they desperately try to hide.
Claire Legrand catches the spirit of a broken twelve-uear-old and stuff it into Olivia, even while employing some corny features. On the surface, Olivia is simply a version of Violet Parr- minus the superhero and invisible tendencies.
Something like this
But there's more to her. How she lives her life, in fear everyday that everybody will leave her. How she loves the orchestra, even as she blames and hates them for all her troubles. How she wishes her mother back but still can't help her abject anger for leaving Olivia.
Henry(a live human) was also an interesting character. He has his fears and sorrow, sometimes he runs away and acts cowardly but he comes back. Always. And he stays till the end.
The portrayal of the relationship between Olivia and her father, the Maestro will definitely break many a heart, even if mine isn't included in that. I appreciate the raw realism with which Legrand gives a view of a remiss parentage, whether deliberate or otherwise.
Emotions run deep in this book and you'll have to be in a certain mind to fully realize every aspect of it, methinks.
The imprecise nature of illustrations, while impressive on its own, doesn't truly complement the story, with its air of elegance and the little elaborate decorations on some of the pages.
BUT like I said earlier, it's the execution of the plot that steals the limelight. It's simple at first: these ghosts want to move on but they can't until the find the 'anchors' that affix them to this reality. But they've forgotten most of their lives.
They don't know what it is that holds them and to remember, they'll have to engage in
Possession.
Or sharing, as the ghosts prefer to call it.
Share the bodies of humans so they can relive their last moments and die again and remember.
And as though, all this isn't dangerous enough, there are beings called Shades- ghosts who have lost it all and want it back. The light, the touch, the chance to move on. And since they can't, they'll do the next best thing: prevent others from moving on.
So all in all, it was an engaging story.
For me, though, it falls flat sometimes with revelations and action scenes and the pacing.
But I'm just a sulky, old teenager grumbling about the scarcity of Oreos in this world and the abundance of trigonometric equations.
A review copy was provided by the publishers.
December 13, 2018
Oh my gosh. This book is phenomenal. It was an amazing emotional roller coaster and a heartfelt story. There were twists and breathtaking moments left and right that left me speechless. Now I get to convince everyone to read it!
December 17, 2019
Olivia is in for a rough year when she's forced to move into a haunted concert hall with her estranged father after losing her mother. Things get strange when she unintentionally befriends an optimistic boy named Henry who seems to be the polar opposite of her in every way and the two get wrapped up in the drama of the afterlife. Through meeting Henry, dealing with a couple of ghostly oddballs and surviving the wrath of sinister apparitions, Olivia goes through many challenges that change her forever.
The cover of this book is extremly deceiving and I mean that in the best way possible. The cover might give you the impression that this is a lighthearted ghost story with a whimsical delivery, but it's actually extremly gloomy, tragic and dark. From exploring poverty and the trauma of a harsh divorce through the eyes of a depressed child like Olivia, showing how deceiving looks and personality can be through the eyes of Henry or exploring the psychological effects of loss through the eyes of Olivia's mourning father and the various ghosts that appear throughout the story (each of them having their own heart-wrenching tale of loss,) it's quite the emotional roller coaster.
Olivia's grief, insecurity and anger at the world is handled in a very mature fashion and the way her companionions impact her life along the way was a lovely thing to behold.
The cover of this book is extremly deceiving and I mean that in the best way possible. The cover might give you the impression that this is a lighthearted ghost story with a whimsical delivery, but it's actually extremly gloomy, tragic and dark. From exploring poverty and the trauma of a harsh divorce through the eyes of a depressed child like Olivia, showing how deceiving looks and personality can be through the eyes of Henry or exploring the psychological effects of loss through the eyes of Olivia's mourning father and the various ghosts that appear throughout the story (each of them having their own heart-wrenching tale of loss,) it's quite the emotional roller coaster.
Olivia's grief, insecurity and anger at the world is handled in a very mature fashion and the way her companionions impact her life along the way was a lovely thing to behold.
October 29, 2014
This is a book that older MG/young YA desperately needs right now - a book that helps explain what Legrand calls "The Economy", and how it's affecting kids. "The Year of Shadows" is a book that is not only just a ghost story, but is also a very real story about kids in that late tween/early teen age range that is learning to deal in a new world that's let them down, a new reality that has reset everything they've learned thus far about their lives, with some ghosts and a metaphor about moving on mixed in along the way.
Admittedly, this is my first Legrand book. I still have my ARC copy of her first book lying around, and I'm feeling like an idiot for not getting to her writing sooner. "Year of Shadows" has everything I look for in a wonderful book - awesome worldbuilding, character building, sensory imagery and language, and plot. It's all here. And there's also a real world connection - perhaps one of the most real I've seen in MG that's also a supernatural story at the same time within the last few years. It's not just a ghost story, nor is it just a tough issues book. Legrand blends both together perfectly - even the ghosts are having problems adjusting to their new reality (or in some of their cases, it's been their reality for a long while). Which really fuels our story.
I loved Olivia. She was a wonderful MC, and the main cast was also very richly layered as well. No one was flat nor did they feel like things propping up Olivia or her story. Legrand did a fabulous job making a very relatable, sympathetic protagonist for an audience of any age. Legrand hits home with the tough stuff issues of having a mom that's abandoned the family, a recession that's forced the family still left behind into very narrow living quarters, and the question of a dream being a viable financial reality (among other things) all mixed in. And then there are the ghosts - stuck, because they can't move on, trying to find the things that tie them to this world (their anchors). Just as Olivia is stuck with the rage against her mother leaving, these ghosts have their various circumstances that have them stuck in this world. Everything nicely lined up in parallels, and I loved all of the ghostly action as well.
Igor. Can I have him? Please? He's one awesome cat. I could use a cat like that.
But back to the actual review.
What was perhaps the best part of the book was the way that all of these issues were represented. The ghosts' pasts (and in one case, I won't say who, our future) and Olivia's present could be presented very strongly in the sensory and emotional arenas, but they weren't overwhelming. They stopped one step short of overwhelming, which really helps all of those parallels line up even better, even easier. The world was built by these characters, and by their backstories, and in return, was further built upon by Olivia, Henry, Joan, and everything they were experiencing in the "real world" at the same time.
What was also great: the sensory input. My god, does Legrand know how to make music into a story, and a story into music. Some of the orchestral scenes literally gave me chills, because it felt like I was there. Everything felt clear - not one sense felt dulled or lacking. Seeing as Legrand is a musician as well as a writer, it makes sense that she's able to interpret music into a story so well. And I'm glad she was able to do it. Music was the thing that held this story together in all of the technical and plot areas, and it was done so well, so elegantly, that I'm going to be digging out her first book out of my moving boxes ASAP.
My only small issue: there were some (very few) laggy bits in the book in terms of timing, but as I read an ARC copy, I'm hoping they got fixed or at least got one more look/edit before going to final pub.
Otherwise? This is a great book that shows how kids are growing up now, and what they can do, how they can choose to grow up within narrow and sad circumstances. Along with the help of awesome ghosts. I absolutely loved this one, guys, and I hope you do too. It's definitely on my list of best of 2013. "The Year of Shadows" is out August 27, 2013 from Simon and Schuster for Young Readers in North America, so definitely check it out when you get a chance! This is one MG I think everyone will definitely dig, and be able to love.
(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
Admittedly, this is my first Legrand book. I still have my ARC copy of her first book lying around, and I'm feeling like an idiot for not getting to her writing sooner. "Year of Shadows" has everything I look for in a wonderful book - awesome worldbuilding, character building, sensory imagery and language, and plot. It's all here. And there's also a real world connection - perhaps one of the most real I've seen in MG that's also a supernatural story at the same time within the last few years. It's not just a ghost story, nor is it just a tough issues book. Legrand blends both together perfectly - even the ghosts are having problems adjusting to their new reality (or in some of their cases, it's been their reality for a long while). Which really fuels our story.
I loved Olivia. She was a wonderful MC, and the main cast was also very richly layered as well. No one was flat nor did they feel like things propping up Olivia or her story. Legrand did a fabulous job making a very relatable, sympathetic protagonist for an audience of any age. Legrand hits home with the tough stuff issues of having a mom that's abandoned the family, a recession that's forced the family still left behind into very narrow living quarters, and the question of a dream being a viable financial reality (among other things) all mixed in. And then there are the ghosts - stuck, because they can't move on, trying to find the things that tie them to this world (their anchors). Just as Olivia is stuck with the rage against her mother leaving, these ghosts have their various circumstances that have them stuck in this world. Everything nicely lined up in parallels, and I loved all of the ghostly action as well.
Igor. Can I have him? Please? He's one awesome cat. I could use a cat like that.
But back to the actual review.
What was perhaps the best part of the book was the way that all of these issues were represented. The ghosts' pasts (and in one case, I won't say who, our future) and Olivia's present could be presented very strongly in the sensory and emotional arenas, but they weren't overwhelming. They stopped one step short of overwhelming, which really helps all of those parallels line up even better, even easier. The world was built by these characters, and by their backstories, and in return, was further built upon by Olivia, Henry, Joan, and everything they were experiencing in the "real world" at the same time.
What was also great: the sensory input. My god, does Legrand know how to make music into a story, and a story into music. Some of the orchestral scenes literally gave me chills, because it felt like I was there. Everything felt clear - not one sense felt dulled or lacking. Seeing as Legrand is a musician as well as a writer, it makes sense that she's able to interpret music into a story so well. And I'm glad she was able to do it. Music was the thing that held this story together in all of the technical and plot areas, and it was done so well, so elegantly, that I'm going to be digging out her first book out of my moving boxes ASAP.
My only small issue: there were some (very few) laggy bits in the book in terms of timing, but as I read an ARC copy, I'm hoping they got fixed or at least got one more look/edit before going to final pub.
Otherwise? This is a great book that shows how kids are growing up now, and what they can do, how they can choose to grow up within narrow and sad circumstances. Along with the help of awesome ghosts. I absolutely loved this one, guys, and I hope you do too. It's definitely on my list of best of 2013. "The Year of Shadows" is out August 27, 2013 from Simon and Schuster for Young Readers in North America, so definitely check it out when you get a chance! This is one MG I think everyone will definitely dig, and be able to love.
(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)
August 30, 2021
| | blog | tumblr | ko-fi | |
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Claire Legrand has once again created a both heartwarming and entertaining middle-grade story.
With a sharp-witted protagonist and an eerie setting, The Year of Shadows stands out against many other MG or YA books dealing with the same themes, such as The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall.
Olivia was an amusing character who found herself dealing with various tough blows: lack of money, her mother leaving her and her own bitterness towards her father, the Maestro. I appreciated that younger readers can find books such as this one, which do venture in 'the supernatural', but also confronts various real-life problems.
While The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls was downright scary, The Year of Shadows did not strike me as overtly spine-tingling. TYOS was more of a mystery and Olivia's own growth as a person. Legrand portrays perfectly the conflicting emotions of a young and uncanny girl. Olivia's various diverging relationships – with both the living and not– were authentic and amusing.
A simple yet lovely prose, an endearing cast of characters, an adorably grumpy cat named Igor and a unique protagonist make The Year of Shadows a bittersweet ghost story for all ages.
"That's, uh," he said. "Your drawing. I like it. What is it?"
I glared up at him. "A black hole of death."
"Oh. Well. That's good."
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
"To moving-on-ness," Frederick said. His grin was so big, his face literally split into pieces, cracking every which way like a giant spider.
Claire Legrand has once again created a both heartwarming and entertaining middle-grade story.
With a sharp-witted protagonist and an eerie setting, The Year of Shadows stands out against many other MG or YA books dealing with the same themes, such as The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall.
Dreams –even ones you were good at– weren't for hiding yourself in.
Olivia was an amusing character who found herself dealing with various tough blows: lack of money, her mother leaving her and her own bitterness towards her father, the Maestro. I appreciated that younger readers can find books such as this one, which do venture in 'the supernatural', but also confronts various real-life problems.
The things that make you the most you can do that. When everything else is zoomy and hazy and doesn't make sense, you at least have that. Your hobbies, your dream. You at least have your sketches, or your trumpet playing or your homework in its neat, color-coded folders labeled HERNY PAGE SEVENTH GRADER.
While The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls was downright scary, The Year of Shadows did not strike me as overtly spine-tingling. TYOS was more of a mystery and Olivia's own growth as a person. Legrand portrays perfectly the conflicting emotions of a young and uncanny girl. Olivia's various diverging relationships – with both the living and not– were authentic and amusing.
It was nice, the thought of a boy like henry being gentle.
A simple yet lovely prose, an endearing cast of characters, an adorably grumpy cat named Igor and a unique protagonist make The Year of Shadows a bittersweet ghost story for all ages.
I tried to imagine what that would look like. I was an artist, and artists had to examine even the awful things –especially the awful things –to find the truth.
June 27, 2013
Olivia Stellatella is having a rough year. That's an understatement if there ever was one.
The Year of Shadows is the story of Olivia and her father, the maestro of a failing orchestra and the year after her mother leaves the family. Oh--and the ghosts! When The Maestro sells the family home and moves his elderly mother and Olivia into the backstage area of the music hall it turns out the place is haunted by ghosts. They're tied to the old crumbling hall, unable to move to the afterlife. The only other person able to see the ghosts is the usher Henry-who goes to school with Olivia. Henry is everything Olivia is not-good at sports, smart and popular at school and Olivia resents him.
"Don't you have a raincoat" Henry asked, after a minute.
"No," I snapped. "Too poor for a raincoat."
"Do you want my raincoat?"
"No way."
"Well, what about that charity store on Clark Street? You maybe could get one there."
"How about you go to the charity store & see how you like it? Then we'll talk"
"I do sometimes," Henry said quietly.
But then this and my heart melted and I wanted to reach out and hug them both. Olivia goes though some very heart breaking events in the course of this book and sadly her father is too wrapped up in his own depression to be a proper parent. Lucky for Olivia that Henry turns out to be a stalwart friend.
I know I'm not doing this book the justice it deserves. It was about change and sadness and anger and friendship-between people and ghosts. Sadness and anger but for the right reasons because there are times life just makes you feel that way and there is nothing you can do but get through to the other side.
Buy this title at Powells Books.
The Year of Shadows is the story of Olivia and her father, the maestro of a failing orchestra and the year after her mother leaves the family. Oh--and the ghosts! When The Maestro sells the family home and moves his elderly mother and Olivia into the backstage area of the music hall it turns out the place is haunted by ghosts. They're tied to the old crumbling hall, unable to move to the afterlife. The only other person able to see the ghosts is the usher Henry-who goes to school with Olivia. Henry is everything Olivia is not-good at sports, smart and popular at school and Olivia resents him.
"Don't you have a raincoat" Henry asked, after a minute.
"No," I snapped. "Too poor for a raincoat."
"Do you want my raincoat?"
"No way."
"Well, what about that charity store on Clark Street? You maybe could get one there."
"How about you go to the charity store & see how you like it? Then we'll talk"
"I do sometimes," Henry said quietly.
But then this and my heart melted and I wanted to reach out and hug them both. Olivia goes though some very heart breaking events in the course of this book and sadly her father is too wrapped up in his own depression to be a proper parent. Lucky for Olivia that Henry turns out to be a stalwart friend.
I know I'm not doing this book the justice it deserves. It was about change and sadness and anger and friendship-between people and ghosts. Sadness and anger but for the right reasons because there are times life just makes you feel that way and there is nothing you can do but get through to the other side.
Buy this title at Powells Books.
October 12, 2013
In The Year of Shadows, Claire Legrand has produced a worthy follow-up to her excellent The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls. The book traces embittered loner Olivia Stellatella’s seventh grade school year, a year in which she discovers ghosts and the meaning of family.
As the book opens in September, Olivia, her orchestra conductor father and Italian-immigrant grandmother have been reduced to living at the back of Maestro Otto Stellatella’s beloved Emerson Hall, a decrepit concert hall that’s home to an orchestra that’s nearly as tired as the ancient hall. Abandoned by her mother and estranged from her father, 12-year-old Olivia takes her anger out on everyone around her — except for her beloved grandmother Nonnie and a rescued black kitten that Nonnie names Igor, for composer Igor Stravinsky. Befriended by Henry Page, a straight-A student whom Olivia imagines as living the perfect life; Joan Dawson, the school rabble-rouser; the neighboring Barskys, a Bohemian couple who own a nearby café; and a quartet of friendly ghosts, Olivia learns more about her mother, more about her father and more about herself than she ever wanted to know. Legrand packs the book with suspense — over the fate of the ghosts, the fate of the crumbling concert hall, the fate of the Stellatella family, and, most importantly to Olivia, the fate of her absconding mother. Her depiction of the Hereafter is imaginative and well conceived.
The Year of Shadows is a must-read for readers of every age.
As the book opens in September, Olivia, her orchestra conductor father and Italian-immigrant grandmother have been reduced to living at the back of Maestro Otto Stellatella’s beloved Emerson Hall, a decrepit concert hall that’s home to an orchestra that’s nearly as tired as the ancient hall. Abandoned by her mother and estranged from her father, 12-year-old Olivia takes her anger out on everyone around her — except for her beloved grandmother Nonnie and a rescued black kitten that Nonnie names Igor, for composer Igor Stravinsky. Befriended by Henry Page, a straight-A student whom Olivia imagines as living the perfect life; Joan Dawson, the school rabble-rouser; the neighboring Barskys, a Bohemian couple who own a nearby café; and a quartet of friendly ghosts, Olivia learns more about her mother, more about her father and more about herself than she ever wanted to know. Legrand packs the book with suspense — over the fate of the ghosts, the fate of the crumbling concert hall, the fate of the Stellatella family, and, most importantly to Olivia, the fate of her absconding mother. Her depiction of the Hereafter is imaginative and well conceived.
The Year of Shadows is a must-read for readers of every age.
April 8, 2020
اولیویا دختر نوجوونیه که با رفتن مادرش، مجبوره همراه پدر و مادربزرگس توی یه سالن کنسرت زندگی کنه.
توی اون سالن کنسرت، اولیویا با چهار تا روح آشنا می شه که برای این که روحشون بره به دنیای مردگان، باید از جسم اولیویا و دوستش استفاده کنن.
خب به نظر من داستان این کتاب فراتر از این حرف ها بود! من فکر می کنم در واقع اولیویا از شدت تنهایی و فشاری که روش بود، تمام این داستان رو پیش خودش تصور کرد تا بتونه این بحران رو پشت سر بذاره!
کتاب خیلی خوبیه، اما اگر یه نوجوان بخوندش، ممکنه توی فهم مسائلی مثل برزخ و دنیای مردگان که توی کتاب ازشون یاد شده، براش مشکل به وجود بیاد.
توی اون سالن کنسرت، اولیویا با چهار تا روح آشنا می شه که برای این که روحشون بره به دنیای مردگان، باید از جسم اولیویا و دوستش استفاده کنن.
خب به نظر من داستان این کتاب فراتر از این حرف ها بود! من فکر می کنم در واقع اولیویا از شدت تنهایی و فشاری که روش بود، تمام این داستان رو پیش خودش تصور کرد تا بتونه این بحران رو پشت سر بذاره!
کتاب خیلی خوبیه، اما اگر یه نوجوان بخوندش، ممکنه توی فهم مسائلی مثل برزخ و دنیای مردگان که توی کتاب ازشون یاد شده، براش مشکل به وجود بیاد.
February 23, 2014
One Sentence Review: A fun little romp with enough ghosts to keep you satisfied for a week, though ultimately the heroine's just a smidge too unlikable and the plotting just a tad too long for it to be much in the way of memorable.
October 31, 2017
DNF @ 25%. just wasn't interested, which is sad because i fucking love the authors' other books.
December 1, 2017
Olivia moved in a music hall and is trying to help her ghost friends save the music hall. Will she be able to help and save the music hall? I hope you read this book and like it.
July 15, 2018
lol i cant believe i read this when i was 12 and still remember it
January 8, 2019
Really well written and so MOOOOOOOOOOOOVING!!!! For a sec... hold on I'm not gonna say anything cause you might never want to trust my mouth (or finger ;P)!
June 2, 2016
Originally reviewed at http://shelversanon.blogspot.com/2013...
I... I'm sorry, I need a moment. I'm still working through all my crazy, flaily feelings over this book. If any of you have read The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls and were worried that Ms. Legrand might not be able to live up to her smash debut, worry no more! Though Shadows isn't on the same level of freaky horror as Cavendish it excels in the same gothic, touching, heartfelt tone as its predecessor.
The star of the show is Olivia Stellatella, a half-Italian self-professed "freak" with no friends, a broken family, and a home that barely counts. Olivia's mom took off without a word a year ago, and her father, the conductor for the local orchestra, moved the family (Olivia, his mother Nonnie, and himself) into the back of the concert hall to save money. Already reclusive on principle, Olivia becomes downright surly as she pushes away friends and retreats deep into her sketchbook.
I loved Olivia. I loved every second of her. She's as prickly as a porcupine with a light case of rabies, but in spite of her attitude (really, because of it), I adored her. Kids deal with loss in strange ways. Some act out. Some cling and whine. Some work extra-hard to keep those they have left close. And some, like Olivia, throw up walls and disappear. She is ombrelina, the little shadow, flitting across the upper scaffolding of the hall.
Usually, I'm pushing for the action to start, but I was blissfully content in Olivia's head. I wanted to learn more about her moods, her thoughts, her family. That being said, when the action does start, the book gets really, really good. Olivia, it seems has been watched by a quartet of ghosts. Once they decide that she and a boy from her school, Henry, are trustworthy, they reveal themselves and ask for help. They have lost their memories of life and cannot find their anchors, precious mementos of their lives hidden somewhere in the concert hall. Without them, they cannot hope to move on to being truly dead and will become tasty prey for the shades, ghosts that have become irrevocably stuck between worlds and despise both humans for being alive and ghosts for being one step closer to life.
What a story! As much as I adored Olivia, the rest of the cast of characters are delightfully varied and interesting. Freckle-faced and seemingly perfect, Henry is part of the cool crowd, gets perfect grades, and is delightfully finicky. I can't remember the last time I read about 1) a popular kid with red hair and freckles, 2) a boy who's the more finnicky one, 3) a popular kid who gets perfect grades. It's the little variations that make characters surprising and appealing. On top of his surprises, Henry is obsessed with music and a genuinely solid friend even in the time before Olivia admits that they are friends.
Even more delightful are the ghosts Olivia and Henry help. The spokesperson of the quartet is Frederick, a kindly gentleman who takes the lead by virtue of his being older than Jax and Tillie (in people years, not ghost years) and his ability to speak. Jax and Tillie are children near Olivia and Henry's age who are unable to see or hear each other, though they often speak at the same time and say nearly the same things. All three ghosts' stories, when we learn them, are tragic in their own ways, but none were as tragic as that of the fourth ghost, Mr. Worthington. The oldest of all the ghosts, Mr. Worthington has degenerated so far that he can barely speak. Even the effort often makes his ghostly jaw crumble and fall to the floor. Mr. Worthington, with all his sweet and kindly ways, is also my favorite.
Really, I could talk about the characters and what they mean to me all day long. Though at times I hated him for his behavior, I also felt for Olivia's father, the Maestro. I both pitied and adored Olivia's grandmother, Nonnie, who wears scarves day and night to cover her shaved head. There's Joan, the precocious activist who comes and goes depending on how badly she's scared by the ghosts. There's Igor, who sounds like a droll Cary Grant in Olivia's head. (For the best reading experience, do read Igor's lines with Cary Grant's voice. It's hilarious.) And then other character flit in and out as needed, such as Richard Astley the trumpet player, Mr. and Mrs. Barsky, who are both delightful in their own ways, etc. etc.
I could talk about this book all day. Shadows is, in my opinion, a quieter story than Cavendish but also much deeper. I loved the details Ms. Legrand put into everything she writes. The mythology behind ghosts vs. shades and how each come to be, the mystery surrounding Olivia's mother (which I guessed but was no less heartbreaking for the guessing), the various heartbreaks of every character, the intertwining of art and music (I marked pages to look up the pieces mentioned which I never do EVER), EVERYTHING. You want amazing little details? The different breaks in the story are marked with a fermata, which is the musical symbol for hold or pause.
Hum this while reading. It fits.
Some of you may still be unconvinced. Maybe you're comfortable with your adult or YA literature but are secretly unconvinced that anything middle-grade could ever interest you. That's fine. Be silly if you want. I respect your right to be a snobby dunderhead. And if you do read Shadows and don't like it, that's totally fine, because you tried. But I will say that I was floating on a book high after I finished Shadows. And I will say that it made me truly emotional at least twice, which is somewhat of a feat. Any book that handles loss and longing as beautifully as this book deserves to be read.
Points Added For: ALL THE CHARACTERS (but especially Igor and Mr. Worthington), depth, the exquisite handling of loss, the different references to art and music throughout the book, Olivia's attitude, Henry's quirks, etc. etc. ad infinitum.
Points Subtracted For: Not a thing. Not a bloomin' thing. No wait, the fact that Ms. Legrand doesn't have another book I can read RIGHT NOW.
Good For Fans Of: Exquisite portrayals of loss and longing, ghosts, music, prickly loner characters, Cary Grant.
Notes For Parents: There are ghosts, there is a (failed) seance, there are tense family moments. Otherwise, it's all hunky-dory.
Note: I received an e-galley of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I... I'm sorry, I need a moment. I'm still working through all my crazy, flaily feelings over this book. If any of you have read The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls and were worried that Ms. Legrand might not be able to live up to her smash debut, worry no more! Though Shadows isn't on the same level of freaky horror as Cavendish it excels in the same gothic, touching, heartfelt tone as its predecessor.
The star of the show is Olivia Stellatella, a half-Italian self-professed "freak" with no friends, a broken family, and a home that barely counts. Olivia's mom took off without a word a year ago, and her father, the conductor for the local orchestra, moved the family (Olivia, his mother Nonnie, and himself) into the back of the concert hall to save money. Already reclusive on principle, Olivia becomes downright surly as she pushes away friends and retreats deep into her sketchbook.
I loved Olivia. I loved every second of her. She's as prickly as a porcupine with a light case of rabies, but in spite of her attitude (really, because of it), I adored her. Kids deal with loss in strange ways. Some act out. Some cling and whine. Some work extra-hard to keep those they have left close. And some, like Olivia, throw up walls and disappear. She is ombrelina, the little shadow, flitting across the upper scaffolding of the hall.
Usually, I'm pushing for the action to start, but I was blissfully content in Olivia's head. I wanted to learn more about her moods, her thoughts, her family. That being said, when the action does start, the book gets really, really good. Olivia, it seems has been watched by a quartet of ghosts. Once they decide that she and a boy from her school, Henry, are trustworthy, they reveal themselves and ask for help. They have lost their memories of life and cannot find their anchors, precious mementos of their lives hidden somewhere in the concert hall. Without them, they cannot hope to move on to being truly dead and will become tasty prey for the shades, ghosts that have become irrevocably stuck between worlds and despise both humans for being alive and ghosts for being one step closer to life.
What a story! As much as I adored Olivia, the rest of the cast of characters are delightfully varied and interesting. Freckle-faced and seemingly perfect, Henry is part of the cool crowd, gets perfect grades, and is delightfully finicky. I can't remember the last time I read about 1) a popular kid with red hair and freckles, 2) a boy who's the more finnicky one, 3) a popular kid who gets perfect grades. It's the little variations that make characters surprising and appealing. On top of his surprises, Henry is obsessed with music and a genuinely solid friend even in the time before Olivia admits that they are friends.
Even more delightful are the ghosts Olivia and Henry help. The spokesperson of the quartet is Frederick, a kindly gentleman who takes the lead by virtue of his being older than Jax and Tillie (in people years, not ghost years) and his ability to speak. Jax and Tillie are children near Olivia and Henry's age who are unable to see or hear each other, though they often speak at the same time and say nearly the same things. All three ghosts' stories, when we learn them, are tragic in their own ways, but none were as tragic as that of the fourth ghost, Mr. Worthington. The oldest of all the ghosts, Mr. Worthington has degenerated so far that he can barely speak. Even the effort often makes his ghostly jaw crumble and fall to the floor. Mr. Worthington, with all his sweet and kindly ways, is also my favorite.
Really, I could talk about the characters and what they mean to me all day long. Though at times I hated him for his behavior, I also felt for Olivia's father, the Maestro. I both pitied and adored Olivia's grandmother, Nonnie, who wears scarves day and night to cover her shaved head. There's Joan, the precocious activist who comes and goes depending on how badly she's scared by the ghosts. There's Igor, who sounds like a droll Cary Grant in Olivia's head. (For the best reading experience, do read Igor's lines with Cary Grant's voice. It's hilarious.) And then other character flit in and out as needed, such as Richard Astley the trumpet player, Mr. and Mrs. Barsky, who are both delightful in their own ways, etc. etc.
I could talk about this book all day. Shadows is, in my opinion, a quieter story than Cavendish but also much deeper. I loved the details Ms. Legrand put into everything she writes. The mythology behind ghosts vs. shades and how each come to be, the mystery surrounding Olivia's mother (which I guessed but was no less heartbreaking for the guessing), the various heartbreaks of every character, the intertwining of art and music (I marked pages to look up the pieces mentioned which I never do EVER), EVERYTHING. You want amazing little details? The different breaks in the story are marked with a fermata, which is the musical symbol for hold or pause.
Hum this while reading. It fits.
Some of you may still be unconvinced. Maybe you're comfortable with your adult or YA literature but are secretly unconvinced that anything middle-grade could ever interest you. That's fine. Be silly if you want. I respect your right to be a snobby dunderhead. And if you do read Shadows and don't like it, that's totally fine, because you tried. But I will say that I was floating on a book high after I finished Shadows. And I will say that it made me truly emotional at least twice, which is somewhat of a feat. Any book that handles loss and longing as beautifully as this book deserves to be read.
Points Added For: ALL THE CHARACTERS (but especially Igor and Mr. Worthington), depth, the exquisite handling of loss, the different references to art and music throughout the book, Olivia's attitude, Henry's quirks, etc. etc. ad infinitum.
Points Subtracted For: Not a thing. Not a bloomin' thing. No wait, the fact that Ms. Legrand doesn't have another book I can read RIGHT NOW.
Good For Fans Of: Exquisite portrayals of loss and longing, ghosts, music, prickly loner characters, Cary Grant.
Notes For Parents: There are ghosts, there is a (failed) seance, there are tense family moments. Otherwise, it's all hunky-dory.
Note: I received an e-galley of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2020
Wow! What a read! This was spooky & magical, while at the same time having a deeper meaning at its core. This reads at times how real life grief FEELS. You can feel the grief form these characters as you read from them. It’s hard to explain. It was done perfectly though. Olivia is an angry kid-b/c she is a HURTING kid. Her mom left her & her dad a year or so before, & she blames her dad. They now have to live in the music hall b/c of how bad her dad(the maestro)& the orchestra are suffering financially. Even more anger towards her dad b/c of this. She soon finds a stray cat, or the cat finds her..she names him Igor-I LOVE THAT CAT!! Omg. He talks to her w/o saying anything, & she talks back & it’s the best thing ever lol she also realizes the hall is haunted w/4 ghosts. They need her help. She becomes friends w/Henry who also saw them, & they team up to help. The ghosts were so great. I loved them, the description of them, & all of the backstories for each. I loved the friendship b/n Olivia & Henry, & seeing it grow. They truly needed each other. The bad things in the story were truly bad. So creepy, & just awful to even think about. This book definitely makes you think about some things. Olivia has gone through so much, & we see her go through more. But watching her story progress, & how it all plays out was wonderful to witness. This was a dark, spooky, raw, emotional, beautiful story w/deep meaning behind it all. I highly recommend it!!The cover is also beautiful, as are the illustrations sprinkled throughout inside.😍😍
October 22, 2020
Once again I'm reading a novel with a protagonist that is struggling with death and loss. I don't know if it makes my current feeling better of worse. Of course I'm telling myself that "everything will be alright in the end, if it's not alright it's not the end", but still it's hard to maintain positivity during this bleak times.
.
The Year of Shadows is a terrific story, filled with ghosts that draw sympathy. Though Olivia, the main character, isn't adorable for me, I still like her and I can understand her anger and frustration. Mom's gone, Dad's going mad, and they have to live at the backstage of an orchestra hall.
The black cat in the cover, named Igor, doesn't really do crucial things, but he's a great companion for Olivia.
.
The inside illustrations are very nice. I love Karl Kwasny's style. He made the illustrations for Nightmares! Trilogy.
.
"It gets easier every time, to say goodbye. And that's not just true for ghosts. That's for everything."
.
If you like classical music, you'll enjoy this book. I'm writing this review while listening to Mahler's Resurrection.
.
The Year of Shadows is a terrific story, filled with ghosts that draw sympathy. Though Olivia, the main character, isn't adorable for me, I still like her and I can understand her anger and frustration. Mom's gone, Dad's going mad, and they have to live at the backstage of an orchestra hall.
The black cat in the cover, named Igor, doesn't really do crucial things, but he's a great companion for Olivia.
.
The inside illustrations are very nice. I love Karl Kwasny's style. He made the illustrations for Nightmares! Trilogy.
.
"It gets easier every time, to say goodbye. And that's not just true for ghosts. That's for everything."
.
If you like classical music, you'll enjoy this book. I'm writing this review while listening to Mahler's Resurrection.
April 10, 2020
i must say i'm impressed.
i love Claire Legrand's writing style.
Although maybe the idea of possessed by the ghost and experienced their last time was unique, i still love it.
heartbreaking yet beautiful.
i want more Legrand book! time to hunt
i love Claire Legrand's writing style.
Although maybe the idea of possessed by the ghost and experienced their last time was unique, i still love it.
heartbreaking yet beautiful.
i want more Legrand book! time to hunt
September 15, 2013
Katherine Paterson's "The Bridge to Terabithia" + Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" + Neil Gaiman = The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand. I'll get to this equation in a moment.
It's been quite a long time since I have read a children's book, or I guess a middle grade book that has made me stop and pause for a moment. The Percy Jackson series, although fun, didn't really deal with a lot of things like this book has.
For one, Olivia has to deal with a lot of things many children are facing. The economy. It's a plot point that feels well deserved in this story because it's always the children who get the brunt of it. In this story, Olivia's father, Otto Stellatella a.k.a "The Maestro's" failing orchestra isn't doing well and in turn Olivia and her grandmother, Nonnie, and her father have to live in The Hall until things turn around.
Not only does Ms. Legrand deal with real life issues of The economy and its impact on children with little to no income, to father's who are absent in their child's life, to the ups and downs of middle school and the insane amount of hormones that go on there, and to the veiled moments of self harm with the counselors believing that is what Olivia is doing because of her situation (even though it is the ghosts).
The ghosts serve as a metaphor for Olivia to come in terms with her life. That she needs friend to help, in order to help herself. She also has Henry and Joan, who are great friends and help her along her journey.
She also has adults she can count on like Mr. and Mrs. Barsky and Richard Ashley who help support her and help her when she needs it.
Why I wrote the equation I did earlier is that Mrs. Legrand deals with themes that are hard to talk to about with kids. She touches on economic trouble, loneliness, absent parent's (from her father's workholic attitude to her mother leaving her), and feeling like you can't control any aspect and not knowing what is going to happen in the future. This is a book I dearly needed when I was younger.
In the tradition of Katherine Paterson, The Year of Shadows looks at the character of Olivia and Henry who become friends and share a same goal of finding the ghosts that same as Jess and Leslie with the ruling of Terabithia. There is a sense of innocence to Henry as well as a real edge to Olivia and they complement each other beautifully just like Jess and Leslie.
In the tradition of Madeline L'Engle, the scene with Olivia in Limbo brought me back to the scene where Meg is on Cammonzots and trying to rescue Charles Wallace and how she gets brought back by Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Whatsit and she is in despair over not saving her brother. Olivia knows she has a goal to accomplish, but the shades keep trying to break her. To make her give up and to move on, and to scare her. She doesn't give up, but what Mrs. Legrand is doing is looking at adversity and determination and that it is alright to allow our emotions to be seen. This was a really moving part for me. Especially, since we know Olivia has already lost a lot that year, and this isn't making things easier.
In the tradition of Neil Gaiman, although not as dark as Mr. Gaiman's work, more whimsical since the ghosts are more like Casper (although the shades are not). There is a simple beauty in the ghosts that help Olivia to come out of her shell. I also think like Mr. Gaiman that Mrs. Legrand has great characters.
Friedrich, if there ever was a movie, should be played by Robert Carlyle. An odd choice, but when Friedrich did the arm movement it made me think of him. Although, I'm sure others would work well. If Friedrich wasn't old than I would say Jeremy Irons. Maybe Ewan McGregor? Maybe I'm completely off target...
Anyways, I loved the ghosts. They were wonderful and (thankfully) not scary. The book itself can get a little creepy, but it's not too bad.
Overall, I really liked this book. The characters were well drawn out and conveyed. I also liked the resolution and ending quite a bit. I loved the classical music selections as I am a fan of orchestra music myself. :)
It doesn't get five stars mostly because this was quite a long book and there were a few pacing problems for me, but more minor than anything else. I am also not so sure how much the illustrations helped since they came far and few between, but they were nice.
I do recommend this book to anyone who likes good stories that throw you back to what children's literature and middle grades books should be. Well done Mrs. Legrand. Well done.
[Also, it doesn't help that the author is super cool and awesome. Although, her work really speaks for itself.]
It's been quite a long time since I have read a children's book, or I guess a middle grade book that has made me stop and pause for a moment. The Percy Jackson series, although fun, didn't really deal with a lot of things like this book has.
For one, Olivia has to deal with a lot of things many children are facing. The economy. It's a plot point that feels well deserved in this story because it's always the children who get the brunt of it. In this story, Olivia's father, Otto Stellatella a.k.a "The Maestro's" failing orchestra isn't doing well and in turn Olivia and her grandmother, Nonnie, and her father have to live in The Hall until things turn around.
Not only does Ms. Legrand deal with real life issues of The economy and its impact on children with little to no income, to father's who are absent in their child's life, to the ups and downs of middle school and the insane amount of hormones that go on there, and to the veiled moments of self harm with the counselors believing that is what Olivia is doing because of her situation (even though it is the ghosts).
The ghosts serve as a metaphor for Olivia to come in terms with her life. That she needs friend to help, in order to help herself. She also has Henry and Joan, who are great friends and help her along her journey.
She also has adults she can count on like Mr. and Mrs. Barsky and Richard Ashley who help support her and help her when she needs it.
Why I wrote the equation I did earlier is that Mrs. Legrand deals with themes that are hard to talk to about with kids. She touches on economic trouble, loneliness, absent parent's (from her father's workholic attitude to her mother leaving her), and feeling like you can't control any aspect and not knowing what is going to happen in the future. This is a book I dearly needed when I was younger.
In the tradition of Katherine Paterson, The Year of Shadows looks at the character of Olivia and Henry who become friends and share a same goal of finding the ghosts that same as Jess and Leslie with the ruling of Terabithia. There is a sense of innocence to Henry as well as a real edge to Olivia and they complement each other beautifully just like Jess and Leslie.
In the tradition of Madeline L'Engle, the scene with Olivia in Limbo brought me back to the scene where Meg is on Cammonzots and trying to rescue Charles Wallace and how she gets brought back by Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Whatsit and she is in despair over not saving her brother. Olivia knows she has a goal to accomplish, but the shades keep trying to break her. To make her give up and to move on, and to scare her. She doesn't give up, but what Mrs. Legrand is doing is looking at adversity and determination and that it is alright to allow our emotions to be seen. This was a really moving part for me. Especially, since we know Olivia has already lost a lot that year, and this isn't making things easier.
In the tradition of Neil Gaiman, although not as dark as Mr. Gaiman's work, more whimsical since the ghosts are more like Casper (although the shades are not). There is a simple beauty in the ghosts that help Olivia to come out of her shell. I also think like Mr. Gaiman that Mrs. Legrand has great characters.
Friedrich, if there ever was a movie, should be played by Robert Carlyle. An odd choice, but when Friedrich did the arm movement it made me think of him. Although, I'm sure others would work well. If Friedrich wasn't old than I would say Jeremy Irons. Maybe Ewan McGregor? Maybe I'm completely off target...
Anyways, I loved the ghosts. They were wonderful and (thankfully) not scary. The book itself can get a little creepy, but it's not too bad.
Overall, I really liked this book. The characters were well drawn out and conveyed. I also liked the resolution and ending quite a bit. I loved the classical music selections as I am a fan of orchestra music myself. :)
It doesn't get five stars mostly because this was quite a long book and there were a few pacing problems for me, but more minor than anything else. I am also not so sure how much the illustrations helped since they came far and few between, but they were nice.
I do recommend this book to anyone who likes good stories that throw you back to what children's literature and middle grades books should be. Well done Mrs. Legrand. Well done.
[Also, it doesn't help that the author is super cool and awesome. Although, her work really speaks for itself.]
August 25, 2013
Originally posted at Gypsy Reviews
I received an eARC from the publisher, thanks!
The Year of Shadows was such a satisfying and enjoyable read, it was endearing and had some very strong messages about family, letting go, forgiveness and friendship. It is an exemplary example why I love Middle Grade books and will always continue reading them, no matter that I’m way beyond the years for reading middle grade.
Olivia lives in the concert hall now because her father’s orchestra is losing money quick, her mother’s left and all she has left is her grandmother. Olivia refuses to acknowledge her father, even going to the extent that she now refers to him as the Maestro. Things aren’t going well for her at school either, her only comfort is being able to draw in her sketchbook. I loved Olivia and I wanted to reach out and hug her. No child her age should have to deal with this kind of burden, of not having their mother around and having to worry about money and living conditions and taking care of her grandmother. She was so mature for her age and even going to find work herself so she doesn’t have to keep asking the Maestro for money? :’( Sketching on napkins when her sketchbook ran out of pages? *sobs quietly*
A large part of the story is about Olivia and the Maestro’s relationship and her coming to terms and trying to forgive him because she blames him for her mother leaving. It is easy to relate to Olivia because when something like this happens, naturally you find someone to blame and you concentrate all that energy and pain into that one person. It was a way for Olivia to cope with her mother’s departure and the state of her living conditions. But I really loved how slowly but gradually, Olivia find out there’s more to the entire picture and realises, her mother has left yes. But she can’t do anything about it and neither can the Maestro. She has to accept that and to appreciate what she does have.
It was so interesting to see Henry and Olivia’s friendship bloom, Olivia was so hesitant to acknowledge Henry even as a friend. It only just started as a partnership to the whole ghost situation but then they become really good friends. I love stories like this, you’re never going to fully trust someone when you’re in such a vulnerable state but as time goes by, you realise that you can trust them because even after everything, they’re still here. It was so endearing and sweet to read about :3
Igor is a cat who needs his own TV show. You will love him. Full stop.
I was expecting the ghost component to be a lot scarier and creepier but I’m glad it went another direction. Some of the stories behind the ghosts were just so sad and powerful. Stories about a love of music, between siblings and a father’s love. It was very hard for me to let them go too after getting a little attached to them and Olivia definitely felt the same way. I loved that part when she proclaimed the ghosts, her ghosts. It might seem possessive and stuff but it spoke of how much she had grown to like them and how attached she was to them now.
The writing is beautiful as well, here are some of the quotes I highlighted on my Kindle.
As I was reading an eARC, the illustrations were all sketches and I couldn’t see them fully because somehow they got resized on my Kindle but I did see some of the finished illustrations somewhere on Twitter and WOW THEY’RE BEAUTIFUL. I might just get a finished copy for myself :3
I cannot wait to read Legrand’s other book, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls which I have on my Kindle! If you’re into MG, you definitely have to read her novels. You can be sure I’ll be purchasing her books in the future ;)
Verdict: If you love MG you gotta read it. If you want to get into MG, this might be the book to go with!
-----------------
Incredibly endearing and has some pretty powerful messages inside about family, friendship, forgiveness and letting go.
-- Full review to come!
I received an eARC from the publisher, thanks!
The Year of Shadows was such a satisfying and enjoyable read, it was endearing and had some very strong messages about family, letting go, forgiveness and friendship. It is an exemplary example why I love Middle Grade books and will always continue reading them, no matter that I’m way beyond the years for reading middle grade.
Olivia lives in the concert hall now because her father’s orchestra is losing money quick, her mother’s left and all she has left is her grandmother. Olivia refuses to acknowledge her father, even going to the extent that she now refers to him as the Maestro. Things aren’t going well for her at school either, her only comfort is being able to draw in her sketchbook. I loved Olivia and I wanted to reach out and hug her. No child her age should have to deal with this kind of burden, of not having their mother around and having to worry about money and living conditions and taking care of her grandmother. She was so mature for her age and even going to find work herself so she doesn’t have to keep asking the Maestro for money? :’( Sketching on napkins when her sketchbook ran out of pages? *sobs quietly*
A large part of the story is about Olivia and the Maestro’s relationship and her coming to terms and trying to forgive him because she blames him for her mother leaving. It is easy to relate to Olivia because when something like this happens, naturally you find someone to blame and you concentrate all that energy and pain into that one person. It was a way for Olivia to cope with her mother’s departure and the state of her living conditions. But I really loved how slowly but gradually, Olivia find out there’s more to the entire picture and realises, her mother has left yes. But she can’t do anything about it and neither can the Maestro. She has to accept that and to appreciate what she does have.
It was so interesting to see Henry and Olivia’s friendship bloom, Olivia was so hesitant to acknowledge Henry even as a friend. It only just started as a partnership to the whole ghost situation but then they become really good friends. I love stories like this, you’re never going to fully trust someone when you’re in such a vulnerable state but as time goes by, you realise that you can trust them because even after everything, they’re still here. It was so endearing and sweet to read about :3
It was so perfect that I had to make a Reasons to Dislike Henry Page list and keep it in my sketchpad so I could look at it whenever I caught myself thinking it might actually be okay to like him. (7%)
Igor is a cat who needs his own TV show. You will love him. Full stop.
I was expecting the ghost component to be a lot scarier and creepier but I’m glad it went another direction. Some of the stories behind the ghosts were just so sad and powerful. Stories about a love of music, between siblings and a father’s love. It was very hard for me to let them go too after getting a little attached to them and Olivia definitely felt the same way. I loved that part when she proclaimed the ghosts, her ghosts. It might seem possessive and stuff but it spoke of how much she had grown to like them and how attached she was to them now.
The writing is beautiful as well, here are some of the quotes I highlighted on my Kindle.
Dreaming tells us who we are and scrubs away the bad days (23%)
When people get caught up in watching something, their faces change. The lines on their faces get softer, because whatever they’re watching has made them forget how they think they’re supposed to be looking instead, they just are – just sitting there, listening and watching and being real. (76%)
As I was reading an eARC, the illustrations were all sketches and I couldn’t see them fully because somehow they got resized on my Kindle but I did see some of the finished illustrations somewhere on Twitter and WOW THEY’RE BEAUTIFUL. I might just get a finished copy for myself :3
I cannot wait to read Legrand’s other book, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls which I have on my Kindle! If you’re into MG, you definitely have to read her novels. You can be sure I’ll be purchasing her books in the future ;)
Verdict: If you love MG you gotta read it. If you want to get into MG, this might be the book to go with!
-----------------
Incredibly endearing and has some pretty powerful messages inside about family, friendship, forgiveness and letting go.
-- Full review to come!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews